Had a BLR in .308 some years ago, from one of the last years of steel receivers. Unfortunately, I purchased it new, so it had that shiny, plasticized looking Browning finish on the wood. As I am more than just a bit anal about the appearance of my firearms, I tried to keep it looking new. The gun was taking considerable pleasure away from my days outdoors, as I was always overly mindful about trying to avoid bumps, scrapes and scratches ... no way to have fun out in the bush! Had to put it up for sale. I did like the rifle but its stay with me was brief ... my bad.
Browning BLR lightweight tracker
- Thread starter Biathlonjimmy
- Start date
enfieldspares
Well-Known Member
A friend, Clifford Owen, had one when Thatcher banned him from owning his Remington pump action rifle in .308 Winchester. They are in effect, the Browning BLR a conventional bolt action that uses a lever to operate the bolt. This means AFAIR that you've a cogged rack that emerges from the back of the receiver. That and the gold trigger put me off. But it worked and worked well Clifford said although, again from memory, he needed a comb raiser to be able to use the telescopic sight better.
This, is a problem. It's like New Car Syndrome. I hate having a new car, especially with kids, I just can't relax. However, three years later and you look back and wonder what the hell the fuss was all about (as you as you wipe up milkshake, sick, beachsand and 6 months worth of long journey snacks. Plus the wife likes to reverse into things).
My BLR had the exact same finish as yours. Way too glossy. So I fixed by reticence to give it a thrashing by giving it to the wife, who coveted the rifle from the get go. Problem solved. It came back from a week of goat culling with a couple of good scratches and a 3” square dull patch on both sides of the buttstock where it had been rubbing on the quad’s rifle rack. Now I don't even think about it and use it as a heavyweight stalker’s trekking pole.
Your strength is to be admired dodgyknees, especially by those of us who just don't have it. The best I can do is admit to my weakness, and learn to live with it ... as uncomfortable as that may be.
I have lent and given a number of firearms to other family members, and am usually hesitant to ever look at those firearms again for fear of what scars and scratches they may bear from rough use and lack of proper maintenance.
I have lent and given a number of firearms to other family members, and am usually hesitant to ever look at those firearms again for fear of what scars and scratches they may bear from rough use and lack of proper maintenance.
Rafter
Well-Known Member
When I had a stainless steel top installed on the island in my new kitchen I dragged a brick across it.
Once the first scratch was out of the way I could just get on with using and enjoying it.
My parents bought me a .30-06 Mauser for my 21st birthday. Although it was a used rifle it was spotless wood and blued and I really worried about using it for a while. Ten years on and I love the character it’s naturally earnt. There’s the scratches to the cheek piece where I rode a quad across flow country with a stags antler knocking about on it, there’s the light patch in the stock forend where the strap on my backpack rubbed the finish off whilst trekking in Sweden after moose. I’ve carried it on any hunts that meant a lot to me and lots that haven’t been particularly special too, most recently to shoot a fox in the lag behind my garden.
About a year ago I got the iron sights removed and got the barrel threaded which I secretly kind of regret, but it does make it a much more accurate and usable rifle.
All my other rifles are synthetic but there’s no denying that a well used wooden rifle is a thing of beauty.
nugget1993
Well-Known Member
What is this rifle please ?
Rafter
Well-Known Member
It's a BLR with an aftermarket magazine.
nugget1993
Well-Known Member
Smellydog
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Heym SR20
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Rifles, shotguns, boats, cars etc are all designed to be used. Nothing worse for a fine gun, boat or car to be locked away and never to see the light of day. These things all have a soul and they all deserve to be taken out and develop their own history. That's not to say they should be abused. A rifle or shotgun, even a cheap one is still a decent wedge of cash, but with a bit of care and not using them as a walking stick or a boat paddle they should last several lifetimes. The biggest source of damage to guns is not using them, but its in transport. Shotgun stocks are easily broken when sat upon. Rifles can fall off quad bikes etc etc. Simplest solution is a decent case. I don't really mind if there is a mark or a ding on something, but there needs to be a good back story to ding. Not - oh I left it up against the pick up and drove off. More - I had a big rutting stag that I called in and it came charging towards me frothing at the mouth, I shot it from 3 yards away and that mark is from where it fell on me and protected me from being stabbed by the antler.
As to triggers. A lightweight very crisp trigger is perfect in the gunshop. It's pretty good on the range with a big heavy and liht recoiling rifle. But for a gun of light weight that is likely to be used off hand, on a moving target and where you need a good firm grip to control the recoil, and in normal hunting conditions of cold and wet a light trigger is just uncontrollable and the gun tends to go off before you are ready. A firm trigger pull, let off with a firm squeeze is so much better in real life conditions, especially when there is some adrenalin flowing.
I personally haven't used the Browning BLR, but have used the BAR version of the same rifle. Trigger is akin to a semi auto shotgun trigger. On a running boar target you really don't notice the pull.
Will a BLR be a long range precision rifle - no. Will it be the sort of rifle that is more than capable of being a fast handling hunting rifle - yup.
As to triggers. A lightweight very crisp trigger is perfect in the gunshop. It's pretty good on the range with a big heavy and liht recoiling rifle. But for a gun of light weight that is likely to be used off hand, on a moving target and where you need a good firm grip to control the recoil, and in normal hunting conditions of cold and wet a light trigger is just uncontrollable and the gun tends to go off before you are ready. A firm trigger pull, let off with a firm squeeze is so much better in real life conditions, especially when there is some adrenalin flowing.
I personally haven't used the Browning BLR, but have used the BAR version of the same rifle. Trigger is akin to a semi auto shotgun trigger. On a running boar target you really don't notice the pull.
Will a BLR be a long range precision rifle - no. Will it be the sort of rifle that is more than capable of being a fast handling hunting rifle - yup.
Rafter
Well-Known Member
No idea, it isn't mine - I used to own one but not for 35 years.
Wanabehunter
Well-Known Member
I have a BLR in 30-06 with a 1.5x4x24 on top. Love it in the forest and on the hill. Never had an issue with trigger and deer don't mind either!!
nugget1993
Well-Known Member
Where did you manage to pick on up from? Seem to be like hens teeth :/
Wanabehunter
Well-Known Member
Picked it up on here from a very generous member
nugget1993
Well-Known Member
If you see of another one please do think of me ha !
I saw on on trader few months back but was not In a position to buy . Saw a laminate one however would prefer a screw cut end ready to go unit
I've just this week bought the same in 30-06 for the same reason! Thanks for the info.I’ve recently bought a modern BLR in .30-06 with the intent of using it for driven boar shooting. So far I’ve only put a few rounds down the tube on the range, using the iron sights. Despite being the “long” action, it’s still very fast and the .308 would be faster still being a shorter throw. The mechanism is smooth and slick, it handles well, and kick is surprisingly low for such a light rifle.
I’ve got bases and rings to fit a scope, but I will expand slightly on what others have already said. The comb is very low, and naturally you want to get the scope as low as possible too. However, I noticed that low rings leave a very tight gap between the hammer and ocular bell on the scope for your thumb to squeeze in between. It could almost do with one of those “hammer spurs” sometimes seen on classic lever guns. Choosing a scope with a smaller ocular bell will no doubt help, so bare that in mind. I think I’m going with a Leupold 1.5-5x20 on mine.
It’s early days yet, but so far I’m pleased with the rifle
Cheers
Greg
Just got myself one of those old steel receiver versions in 308 manufactured in '92. As I bought it over the net I never saw it until I had it in my hands as the new legal owner. Although the shop selling the rifle marketed it as in mint condition, it kind of seems like "new" and unused to me. To the extent that there seems to be some probably original old factory grease in the mechanism that has got sticky like hell. You can even see on the picture that the bolt is quite yellowish. Poured some oil into it and did a lot of loading movement and it seems to help. The firing pin was anyway not affected by the greasing, it moves very smoothly. And despite everything I have been reading regarding the trigger it feels great for the purpose of the gun, my guess would be in the ballpark of 3-4 lb:s.
Any suggestions on how to get rid of that old greasy stuff? Just pour more oil and it will vanish over time?
@icedog: I know that dilemma. Should I use it and thereby take it out into the leememts or not and just save it for future generations? if it only were to be a new gun, but this one has already survived 32 years without a scratch. I bought it to use it, just never suspected to receive an unused one and now I don't know which way to go...
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